Royal Canadian Mint

Royal Canadian Mint's physical workplace is rated as above-average. Royal Canadian Mint is located in downtown Ottawa with the head office and manufacturing facility situated in a stone building that resembles a castle and was completed in 1908. A popular tourist destination itself, the Royal Canadian Mint is within walking distance to Parliament Hill and the shops and restaurants of the bustling Byward Market. Inside, the head office features an onsite fitness facility (with free memberships, treadmills, stationary bikes, stairmasters, rowing macines, weights, personal trainer services, shower facilities); employee lounge (with comfortable seating and a fireplace); onsite cafeteria (with marché style, subsidized meals, healthy and special diet menus); rooftop patio and outdoor eating area overlooking Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River); free coffee or tea; self-serve lunchroom; secure bicycle parking; transit subsidies; nearby public transit; subsidized parking.

Royal Canadian Mint's work atmosphere is rated as above-average. At work, employees enjoy business casual dress; casual dress Fridays; can listen to music while working; employee sports teams; organized social events. The Crown corporation-subsidized social committee sponsors a variety of social events for employees every year, including an evening Christmas dinner and dance (at a nearby hotel), a Christmas party for employees' children, a summer barbeque, bowling matches, softball games, golf tournaments and even coin exchanges. Employees stay informed about new developments and can provide direct feedback through a company newsletter; corporate intranet site; traditional suggestion box; email suggestion box.

Royal Canadian Mint's financial benefits are rated as very good. To keep salaries competitive the company participates in outside salary surveys every 12 months. Individual salaries are reviewed every 12 months. The Mint also provides year-end bonuses for all employees; year-end bonuses (to $20,000); defined benefit pension plan; life & disability insurance; retirement planning assistance.

Royal Canadian Mint's health and family benefits are rated as above-average. The employee health benefits plan is managed by Sun Life. As part of the health plan, the employer pays 100% of the premiums. There is no waiting period before coverage begins. Employees receive full family coverage on the health benefits plan. The basic plan includes routine dental; restorative dental; orthodontics; eyecare ($275 every 2 years); traditional medicine coverage; alternative medicine coverage; massage therapy; medical equipment and supplies; homecare; employee assistance (EAP) plan; travel insurance. Additional health benefits include smoking cessation assistance (to $1,000), electrologist treatments (physician sponsored) and orthopaedic shoes ($150 per calendar year). Retirees can enroll in the health benefits plan, with no age limit but with no company-paid premiums. The Royal Canadian Mint's family-friendly benefits include: maternity top-up payments (to 93% of salary for 52 weeks); parental leave top-up for new fathers (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks); parental leave top-up for adoptive parents (to 93% of salary for 37 weeks). Additional family-friendly benefits include: flexible working hours; telecommuting; shortened work week (fewer hours with less pay); compressed work week; self-funded leave program.

Royal Canadian Mint's vacation and personal time-off are rated as very good. New employees receive 3 weeks of vacation allowance after their first year. Vacation increases after 5 years on the job. Long-serving employees receive a maximum of 6 weeks of vacation each year. Employees can schedule 6 personal days off each year, as needed. Employees receive 15 paid sick days every year. Royal Canadian Mint considers previous work experience when setting annual vacation for new employees. Employees can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence. Recently, one employee took a 6 month leave to 'try-out' another job.

Royal Canadian Mint's employee engagement program is rated as very good. Employees receive individual performance reviews every 12 months. Managers receive training in how to conduct effective performance reviews. Performance feedback is also solicited from co-workers and other managers familiar with each employee's work. The Royal Canadian Mint recognizes exceptional performance with cash bonuses, parking subsidies, fitness club memberships and gift certificates. As part of its sponsorship for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, two deserving employees (and their guests) will win the opportunity to attend the games and 20 employees will have the opportunity to participate as Olympic torchbearers. Royal Canadian Mint hires an outside consultant to conduct confidential employee satisfaction and engagement surveys. (These surveys are held every 12 months).

Royal Canadian Mint's training and skills development program is rated as above-average. Employees receive tuition subsidies for courses related to their position. (The employer subsidizes up to 100% of tuition). Employees may also receive tuition subsidies for courses unrelated to their current position. (The employer subsidizes up to 50% of non-related tuition). In addition to tuition subsidies, the Mint also provides subsidies for professional accreditations; in-house apprenticeship and skilled trades internships; in-house training programs; online training programs; career planning services; new employee orientation program; formal mangement training program; leadership training; language training.

Royal Canadian Mint's community involvement program is rated as above-average. Royal Canadian Mint actively supports a variety of local and national charitable initiatives. Employees take part in the selection of charitable groups assisted each year. Employees receive paid time off to volunteer with their favourite charitable organizations. Approximately 52 charitable and community organizations were supported last year. As a public sector employer, the Royal Canadian Mint participates in the Government of Canada's Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). This formal program ensures that employees can utilize government facilities as well as receive management support and paid time off to raise funds for their favourite charities, raising over $40,000 last year. The Royal Canadian Mint also applies its unique expertise in minting special fundraising collector coins for charitable organizations, including the Breast Cancer Foundation, the Terry Fox Foundation, the Alzheimer Society of Canada, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation.